 | The poems (1902) |  |
19
Poems on the Pains and Pleasures of Love.
5. [Luve preysis but comparesone.]
Luve preysis, but comparesone,
Both gentill, sempill, generall;
And of fre will gevis waresone,
As fortoun chansis to befall:
For luve makis nobill ladeis thrall,
To bassir men of birth and blud;
So luve garris sobir wemen small,
Get maistrice our grit men of gud.
Both gentill, sempill, generall;
And of fre will gevis waresone,
As fortoun chansis to befall:
For luve makis nobill ladeis thrall,
To bassir men of birth and blud;
So luve garris sobir wemen small,
Get maistrice our grit men of gud.
Ferme luve, for fauour, feir, or feid,
Of riche nor pur to speik suld spair;
For luve to hienes hes no heid,
Nor lychtleis lawlines ane air;
But puttis all personis in compair,
This prowerb planely for till preue,
That men and wemen, less and mair,
Ar cumd of Adame and of Eue.
Of riche nor pur to speik suld spair;
For luve to hienes hes no heid,
Nor lychtleis lawlines ane air;
But puttis all personis in compair,
This prowerb planely for till preue,
That men and wemen, less and mair,
Ar cumd of Adame and of Eue.
So thocht my lyking wer a leddy,
And I no lord, ȝit nocht þe less
Scho suld my serwyce find als reddy
As duke to duches docht him dress;
For as prowd princely luve express
Is to haif souerenitie;
So serwice cumis of sympilness,
And leilest lufe of law degre.
And I no lord, ȝit nocht þe less
Scho suld my serwyce find als reddy
As duke to duches docht him dress;
For as prowd princely luve express
Is to haif souerenitie;
So serwice cumis of sympilness,
And leilest lufe of law degre.
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So luvaris lair no leid suld lak;
A lord to lufe a silly lass,
A leddy als for luf to tak
Ane proper page hir tyme to pass:
For quhy as bricht bene birneist brass
As siluer wrocht at all dewyss;
And als gud drinking out of glass
As gold, thocht gold gif grittar pryss.
A lord to lufe a silly lass,
A leddy als for luf to tak
Ane proper page hir tyme to pass:
For quhy as bricht bene birneist brass
As siluer wrocht at all dewyss;
And als gud drinking out of glass
As gold, thocht gold gif grittar pryss.
Suld I presome þis sedull schaw,
Or lat me langouris be lamentit?
Na! I effrey for feir and aw,
Hir comlie heid be miscontenttit.
I dar nocht preiss hir to present it;
For be scho wreth I will nocht wow it,
But pleiss hir prowdens to imprent it,
Scho may persaue sum inglis throw it.
Or lat me langouris be lamentit?
Na! I effrey for feir and aw,
Hir comlie heid be miscontenttit.
I dar nocht preiss hir to present it;
For be scho wreth I will nocht wow it,
But pleiss hir prowdens to imprent it,
Scho may persaue sum inglis throw it.
6. [Haif hairt in hairt, ȝe hairt of hairtis, haill.]
Haif hairt in hairt, ȝe hairt of hairtis, haill;
Trewly sweit hairt, ȝour hairt my hairt sal haif;
Expell deir hairt my havy hairtis baill;
Praying ȝow hairt quhilk hes my hairt in graif,
Sen ȝe sweit hairt, my hairt may sla & saif,
Lat nocht deir hairt my leill hairt be forloir,
Excelland hairt, of every hairtis gloir.
Trewly sweit hairt, ȝour hairt my hairt sal haif;
Expell deir hairt my havy hairtis baill;
Praying ȝow hairt quhilk hes my hairt in graif,
Sen ȝe sweit hairt, my hairt may sla & saif,
Lat nocht deir hairt my leill hairt be forloir,
Excelland hairt, of every hairtis gloir.
Glaid is my hairt, with ȝow sueit hairt to rest,
And serue ȝow hairt, with hairtis observance;
Sen ȝe ar, hairt, with bayth our hairtis possest,
My hairt is in ȝour hairtis gouernance;
Do with my hairt, ȝour hairtis sweit plesance,
For is my hairt thrall ȝour hairt vntill;
I haif no hairt contrair ȝour hairtis will.
And serue ȝow hairt, with hairtis observance;
Sen ȝe ar, hairt, with bayth our hairtis possest,
My hairt is in ȝour hairtis gouernance;
Do with my hairt, ȝour hairtis sweit plesance,
For is my hairt thrall ȝour hairt vntill;
I haif no hairt contrair ȝour hairtis will.
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Sen ȝe haif hairt, my faythfull hairt, in cure,
Vphald þe hairt, quhilk is ȝour hairtis awin;
Gif my hairt be ȝour hairtis scheruiture,
How may ȝe thoill ȝour trew hairt be ourthrawin?
Quhairfoir sweit hairt nocht suffer so be knawin,
Bot ȝe be, hairt, my hairtis reiosing,
As ȝe ar hairt of hairtis conforting.
Vphald þe hairt, quhilk is ȝour hairtis awin;
Gif my hairt be ȝour hairtis scheruiture,
How may ȝe thoill ȝour trew hairt be ourthrawin?
Quhairfoir sweit hairt nocht suffer so be knawin,
Bot ȝe be, hairt, my hairtis reiosing,
As ȝe ar hairt of hairtis conforting.
[Anon.]
7. The anschir to the ballat of hairtis.
Considdir, hairt, my trew intent,
Suppois I am nocht eloquent
To wryt ȝow anschir responsyve;
Ȝour scedull is so excellent,
It passis far my wyttis fyve.
Suppois I am nocht eloquent
To wryt ȝow anschir responsyve;
Ȝour scedull is so excellent,
It passis far my wyttis fyve.
For quhy it is so full of hairtis
That myne within my bosum stairtis,
Quhen I behald it rycht till end;
And for ilk hairt, ane hundreth dertis
Outthrow my hairt, to ȝow I send.
That myne within my bosum stairtis,
Quhen I behald it rycht till end;
And for ilk hairt, ane hundreth dertis
Outthrow my hairt, to ȝow I send.
This woundit hairt, sweit hairt, ressaif,
Quhilk is deir hairt abone þe laif
Ȝour faythfull hairt, with trew intent;
Ane trewar hairt may no man haif,
Nor ȝit ane hairt moir permanent.
Quhilk is deir hairt abone þe laif
Ȝour faythfull hairt, with trew intent;
Ane trewar hairt may no man haif,
Nor ȝit ane hairt moir permanent.
Ane hairt it is without dissait;
It is þe hairt to quhome ȝe wret
The misseif full of hairtis seir;
It is ane hairt bayth air & lait
That is ȝour hairtis presoneir.
It is þe hairt to quhome ȝe wret
The misseif full of hairtis seir;
It is ane hairt bayth air & lait
That is ȝour hairtis presoneir.
It is ane hairt, full of distres;
Ane cairfull hairt all confortles;
Ane penseve hairt in dule & dolour,
Ane hairt of wo & haviness;
Ane mirthles hairt without mesour.
Ane cairfull hairt all confortles;
Ane penseve hairt in dule & dolour,
Ane hairt of wo & haviness;
Ane mirthles hairt without mesour.
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It is ane hairt bayth firme & stabill
Ane hairt without fenȝeit fabill;
Ane constant hairt bayth trest & trew;
Ane sure hairt set in to sabill;
Ane wofull hairt bot gif ȝe rew.
Ane hairt without fenȝeit fabill;
Ane constant hairt bayth trest & trew;
Ane sure hairt set in to sabill;
Ane wofull hairt bot gif ȝe rew.
It is ane hairt þat ȝour hairt servis;
Ane hairt for lufe of ȝour hairt stervis;
Ane hairt þat nevir ȝow offendit;
Ane hairt of ȝouris bayth vane & nervis;
Ane hairt but solace bot gif ȝe send it.
Ane hairt for lufe of ȝour hairt stervis;
Ane hairt þat nevir ȝow offendit;
Ane hairt of ȝouris bayth vane & nervis;
Ane hairt but solace bot gif ȝe send it.
It is na gravit hairt in stone,
In siluer, gold, nor evir bone;
Nor ȝit ane payntit symlitud;
Bot this same verry hairt allone,
Within my breist of flesch and blude.
In siluer, gold, nor evir bone;
Nor ȝit ane payntit symlitud;
Bot this same verry hairt allone,
Within my breist of flesch and blude.
Thairfoir, sueit hairt, send me þe hairt
That is in to ȝour breist inwart;
And nocht thir writtin hairtis in vane;
Bot ȝour hairt to my hairt rewert,
And send me hairt for hairt agane.
That is in to ȝour breist inwart;
And nocht thir writtin hairtis in vane;
Bot ȝour hairt to my hairt rewert,
And send me hairt for hairt agane.
8. [Hence, hairt, with hir þat most departe.]
Hence, hairt, with hir þat most departe,
And hald the with thy souerane;
For I had lever want ane harte,
Nor haif the hairt þat dois me pane:
Thairfoir, go, with thy lufe remane,
And lat me leif thus vnmolest,
And se þat thow cum nocht agane,
Bot byd with hir thow luvis best.
And hald the with thy souerane;
For I had lever want ane harte,
Nor haif the hairt þat dois me pane:
Thairfoir, go, with thy lufe remane,
And lat me leif thus vnmolest,
And se þat thow cum nocht agane,
Bot byd with hir thow luvis best.
Sen scho, that I haif scheruit lang,
Is to depairt so suddanly;
Address the now, for thow sall gang
And beir thy lady cumpany:
Fra scho be gon, hairtless am I;
For quhy thow art with hir possest;
Thairfoir my hairt! go hence in hy,
And byd with hir thow luvis best.
Is to depairt so suddanly;
Address the now, for thow sall gang
And beir thy lady cumpany:
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For quhy thow art with hir possest;
Thairfoir my hairt! go hence in hy,
And byd with hir thow luvis best.
Thocht this belappit body heir
Be bound to scheruitude and thrall,
My fathfull hairt is fre inteir,
And mynd to serf my lady at all:
Wald god þat I wer perigall
Vnder þat redolent ross to rest!
Ȝit at þe leist, my hairt thow sall
Abyd with hir thow lufis best.
Be bound to scheruitude and thrall,
My fathfull hairt is fre inteir,
And mynd to serf my lady at all:
Wald god þat I wer perigall
Vnder þat redolent ross to rest!
Ȝit at þe leist, my hairt thow sall
Abyd with hir thow lufis best.
Sen in ȝour garth þe lilly quhyte
May nocht remane amang þe laif,
Adew! þe flour of haill delyte,
Adew! þe succour þat ma me saif,
Adew! þe fragrant balme suaif,
And lamp of ladeis lustiest
My faythfull hairt scho sall it haif,
To byd with hir it luvis best.
May nocht remane amang þe laif,
Adew! þe flour of haill delyte,
Adew! þe succour þat ma me saif,
Adew! þe fragrant balme suaif,
And lamp of ladeis lustiest
My faythfull hairt scho sall it haif,
To byd with hir it luvis best.
Deploir, ȝe ladeis cleir of hew
Hir absence, sen scho most departe,
And specialy ȝe luvaris trew
That woundit bene with luvis darte:
For sum of ȝow sall want ane harte
Alsweill as I; þairfoir at last
Do go with myn, with mynd inwart,
And byd with hir thow luvis best.
Hir absence, sen scho most departe,
And specialy ȝe luvaris trew
That woundit bene with luvis darte:
For sum of ȝow sall want ane harte
Alsweill as I; þairfoir at last
Do go with myn, with mynd inwart,
And byd with hir thow luvis best.
9. [Quha is perfyte to put in wryt.]
Quha is perfyte / to put in wryt
The inwart murnyng & mischance;
Or to indyte / þe grit delyte
Of lustie lufis obscherwance?
Bot he þat may certane / paciently suffir pane /
To wyn his souerane / in recompance.
The inwart murnyng & mischance;
Or to indyte / þe grit delyte
Of lustie lufis obscherwance?
Bot he þat may certane / paciently suffir pane /
To wyn his souerane / in recompance.
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Albeid I knaw / of luvis law
The plesour & the panis smart;
Ȝit I stand aw / for to furthschaw
The quyet secreitis of my harte:
For it may fortoun raith / to do hir body skaith /
Quhilk wait þat of þame baith / I am expert.
The plesour & the panis smart;
Ȝit I stand aw / for to furthschaw
The quyet secreitis of my harte:
For it may fortoun raith / to do hir body skaith /
Quhilk wait þat of þame baith / I am expert.
S[c]ho wait my wo / that is ago,
Scho wait my weilfair and remeid,
Scho wait also / I lufe no mo
Bot hir the well of womanheid:
Scho wait withouttin faill / I am hir luvar laill /
Scho hes my hairt alhaill / till I be deid.
Scho wait my weilfair and remeid,
Scho wait also / I lufe no mo
Bot hir the well of womanheid:
Scho wait withouttin faill / I am hir luvar laill /
Scho hes my hairt alhaill / till I be deid.
That bird of bliss / in bewty is,
In erd þe only a per se,
Quhais mowth to kiss / is worth, I wiss,
The warld full of gold to me:
Is nocht in erd I cure, / bot pleiss my lady pure /
Syne be hir scheruiture / vnto I de.
In erd þe only a per se,
Quhais mowth to kiss / is worth, I wiss,
The warld full of gold to me:
Is nocht in erd I cure, / bot pleiss my lady pure /
Syne be hir scheruiture / vnto I de.
Scho hes my lufe / at hir behufe;
My hairt is subiect, bound, & thrall;
For scho dois moif / my hairt aboif,
To se hir proper persoun small:
Sen scho is wrocht at will / that natur may fulfill /
Glaidly I gif hir till / body and all.
My hairt is subiect, bound, & thrall;
For scho dois moif / my hairt aboif,
To se hir proper persoun small:
Sen scho is wrocht at will / that natur may fulfill /
Glaidly I gif hir till / body and all.
Thair is nocht wie / can estimie
My sorrow and my sichingis sair;
For I am so / done fathfullie
In fawouris with my lady fair,
That baith our hartis ar ane / luknyt in luvis chene /
And evirilk greif is gane / for evir mair.
My sorrow and my sichingis sair;
For I am so / done fathfullie
In fawouris with my lady fair,
That baith our hartis ar ane / luknyt in luvis chene /
And evirilk greif is gane / for evir mair.
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10. [I wil be plane and lufe affane.]
I wil be plane / and lufe affane
For as I mene / so tak me;
Gif I refrane / for wo, or pane
Ȝour lufe certane / foirsaik me.
For as I mene / so tak me;
Gif I refrane / for wo, or pane
Ȝour lufe certane / foirsaik me.
Gif trew report / to ȝow resort
Of my gud port / so tak me;
Gif I exort / in evill sort
Without confort / forsak me.
Of my gud port / so tak me;
Gif I exort / in evill sort
Without confort / forsak me.
Gif diligens / in ȝour presens
Schaw my pretens / so tak me;
Gif negligens / in my absens
Schaw my offens / forsaik me.
Schaw my pretens / so tak me;
Gif negligens / in my absens
Schaw my offens / forsaik me.
Ȝouris and no mo / quhair evir I go
Gif I so do / so tak me
Gif I fle fro / & dois nocht so
Evin as ȝour fo / forsaik me.
Gif I so do / so tak me
Gif I fle fro / & dois nocht so
Evin as ȝour fo / forsaik me.
Gif I do prufe / þat I ȝow luf
Nixt god abufe / so taik me,
Gif I remufe / fra ȝour behufe
Without excuss / foirsaik me.
Nixt god abufe / so taik me,
Gif I remufe / fra ȝour behufe
Without excuss / foirsaik me.
Be land or se / quhair evir I be
As ȝe fynd me / so tak me;
And gif I le / & from ȝow fle
Ay quhill I de / forsaik me.
As ȝe fynd me / so tak me;
And gif I le / & from ȝow fle
Ay quhill I de / forsaik me.
It is bot waist / mo wordis to taist
Ȝe haif my laist / so tak me
Gif ȝe our cast / my lyf is past
Ewin at þe last / forsaik me.
Ȝe haif my laist / so tak me
Gif ȝe our cast / my lyf is past
Ewin at þe last / forsaik me.
My deir, adew / most cleir of hew
Now on me rew / & so tak me;
Gif I persew / & beis nocht trew
Cheiss ȝe ane new / & forsaik me.
Now on me rew / & so tak me;
Gif I persew / & beis nocht trew
Cheiss ȝe ane new / & forsaik me.
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11. [Only to ȝow in erd that I lufe best.]
Only to ȝow in erd that I lufe best,
I me commend ane hundreth thowsand syiss;
Exorting ȝow, with pensyfe hairt opprest,
As ȝe ar scho quhom in my confort lyiss,
Gif I misvse my pen, or done dispyss
Ocht at this tyme, will God I sall amend,
Protesting this ballat ȝe attend.
I me commend ane hundreth thowsand syiss;
Exorting ȝow, with pensyfe hairt opprest,
As ȝe ar scho quhom in my confort lyiss,
Gif I misvse my pen, or done dispyss
Ocht at this tyme, will God I sall amend,
Protesting this ballat ȝe attend.
Sum luvaris thame delytis till indyte
Fair facound speich, blandit with eloquence;
And vþir sum dois sett þair wit perfyte
To pleiss þair ladeis with all þair diligens,
Sum luffaris wantis, throw þair negligens,
For falt of speich, the lufe of his maistres,
Without hir witting [he is] in distress.
Fair facound speich, blandit with eloquence;
And vþir sum dois sett þair wit perfyte
To pleiss þair ladeis with all þair diligens,
Sum luffaris wantis, throw þair negligens,
For falt of speich, the lufe of his maistres,
Without hir witting [he is] in distress.
As to my parte, my lusty lady schene,
Throw laik of speich, I thoill rycht grit distress;
Bayth nycht & day, hard persit to þe splene
With deidly dert, and can find no redress;
This me behuffis my panis to express;
Or than, knaw rycht weill, but wirdis moir,
That crewell dert out[t]hrow my hart wald boir.
Throw laik of speich, I thoill rycht grit distress;
Bayth nycht & day, hard persit to þe splene
With deidly dert, and can find no redress;
This me behuffis my panis to express;
Or than, knaw rycht weill, but wirdis moir,
That crewell dert out[t]hrow my hart wald boir.
Rathir nor smart / I mon my harme reweill
To ȝow my hairt / quha ma my baillis beit;
For & ȝe start / adew all warldly weill!
Will ȝe rewart / my cairis ar compleit.
Tuiching ȝour parte / I prey ȝow be discreit,
For eftirwart / gif ȝe vpoun me rew,
Quhill deid departe / my lyfe I sal be trew.
To ȝow my hairt / quha ma my baillis beit;
For & ȝe start / adew all warldly weill!
Will ȝe rewart / my cairis ar compleit.
Tuiching ȝour parte / I prey ȝow be discreit,
For eftirwart / gif ȝe vpoun me rew,
Quhill deid departe / my lyfe I sal be trew.
Secreit alswa / in every maner sort,
For weill nor wa / sall ony knaw our mynd?
Than be nocht thra ȝour scherwand to confort:
Sum anschir ma / as ȝe ar gud and kynd,
That may me, fra / my langour appeill, þat is pynd,
And not sla / me throw ȝour negligence;
This I ȝow pra / for ȝour he excellens.
For weill nor wa / sall ony knaw our mynd?
Than be nocht thra ȝour scherwand to confort:
Sum anschir ma / as ȝe ar gud and kynd,
That may me, fra / my langour appeill, þat is pynd,
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This I ȝow pra / for ȝour he excellens.
Adew / rycht trew / adew my deirest hairt;
Fairest of hew / for this tyme haif gud nycht;
Remord & rew / and pondir weill my pairte,
Sen I persew / na thing of ȝow bot rycht;
Quhilk gif ȝe knew / my mynd as it is plicht,
Ȝe wald subdew / ȝour inwart thocht & mynd,
And me reskew quhilk for ȝour lufe is pynd.
Fairest of hew / for this tyme haif gud nycht;
Remord & rew / and pondir weill my pairte,
Sen I persew / na thing of ȝow bot rycht;
Quhilk gif ȝe knew / my mynd as it is plicht,
Ȝe wald subdew / ȝour inwart thocht & mynd,
And me reskew quhilk for ȝour lufe is pynd.
12. [Rycht as þe glass bene thirlit thrucht with bemis.]
Rycht as þe glass bene thirlit thrucht with bemis
Off Phebus fair prefulgent visage bricht,
Or [as] hornit Dyane with hir paly glemis,
Perssis the cluddis sabill in þe nicht;
And as the kocatrice keilis with hir sicht;
Rycht so þe bewty of my lady stoundis
Out-throwcht my breist, vnto my hairt redoundis.
Off Phebus fair prefulgent visage bricht,
Or [as] hornit Dyane with hir paly glemis,
Perssis the cluddis sabill in þe nicht;
And as the kocatrice keilis with hir sicht;
Rycht so þe bewty of my lady stoundis
Out-throwcht my breist, vnto my hairt redoundis.
Behaild how far cristall or diamant,
Jassink, jasp, ruby jem, or criselleit,
Carbunkile, emmerauld, perle, or athamant,
Turcas, topas, marbill, or margareit,
Exceidis the barrat stonis in þe streit:
In lykwayis dois hir bewty vndegraid,
Transcend all vþiris, wyfe, wedow, or maid.
Jassink, jasp, ruby jem, or criselleit,
Carbunkile, emmerauld, perle, or athamant,
Turcas, topas, marbill, or margareit,
Exceidis the barrat stonis in þe streit:
In lykwayis dois hir bewty vndegraid,
Transcend all vþiris, wyfe, wedow, or maid.
Espy richt so how far þe rosy gowlis
Passis the wallowit weidis in þe vaill;
Or sound of lark aboif þe revenous fowlis;
And somersday the nichtis hiemaill;
Or as ane galay gayest vndir saill
Bene plesandar nor taikles boitis small;
So is my lady lustiest of all.
Passis the wallowit weidis in þe vaill;
Or sound of lark aboif þe revenous fowlis;
And somersday the nichtis hiemaill;
Or as ane galay gayest vndir saill
Bene plesandar nor taikles boitis small;
So is my lady lustiest of all.
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13. [“Up, helsum hairt! thy rutis rais, & lowp.”
Vp, helsum hairt! thy rutis rais, and lowp;
Exalt and clym within my breist in staige;
Art thow nocht wantoun, haill, & in gud howp,
Fermit in grace, and free of all thirlaige,
Bathing in bliss, and sett in hie curaige?
Braisit in joy, no falt may the affray,
Having thy ladeis hart as heretaige,
In blenche-ferme ffor ane sallat every May:
So neidis thow nocht now sussy, sytt, nor sorrow,
Sen thow art sure of sollace evin & morrow.
Exalt and clym within my breist in staige;
Art thow nocht wantoun, haill, & in gud howp,
Fermit in grace, and free of all thirlaige,
Bathing in bliss, and sett in hie curaige?
Braisit in joy, no falt may the affray,
Having thy ladeis hart as heretaige,
In blenche-ferme ffor ane sallat every May:
So neidis thow nocht now sussy, sytt, nor sorrow,
Sen thow art sure of sollace evin & morrow.
Thow Cupeid rewardit me with thiss;
I am thy awin trew liege, withowt tressone.
Thair levis no man in moir eiss, welth, and bliss,
I knaw no siching, sadnes, nor ȝit soun,
Walking, thocht, langour, lamentatioun,
Dolor, dispair, weiping nor jelosye;
My breist is woyd and purgit of pussoun;
I feill no pane, I haif no purgatorye;
Bot peirles, perfytt, paradisall plesour,
With mirry hairt and mirthfulnes but mesoure.
I am thy awin trew liege, withowt tressone.
Thair levis no man in moir eiss, welth, and bliss,
I knaw no siching, sadnes, nor ȝit soun,
Walking, thocht, langour, lamentatioun,
Dolor, dispair, weiping nor jelosye;
My breist is woyd and purgit of pussoun;
I feill no pane, I haif no purgatorye;
Bot peirles, perfytt, paradisall plesour,
With mirry hairt and mirthfulnes but mesoure.
My lady, lord, thow gaif me for to hird:
Within myne armes I nureiss on the nycht;
Kissing, I say, my bab, my tendir bird,
Sweit maistres, lady luffe, & lusty wicht,
Steir, rewll, and gyder of my senssis richt!
My voice surmontis the sapheir cludis hie,
Thanking grit god of that tressour & micht.
I coft hir deir, bot scho fer derrer me,
Quhilk hasard honor, fame in aventeur,
Committing clene hir corse to me in cure.
Within myne armes I nureiss on the nycht;
Kissing, I say, my bab, my tendir bird,
Sweit maistres, lady luffe, & lusty wicht,
Steir, rewll, and gyder of my senssis richt!
My voice surmontis the sapheir cludis hie,
Thanking grit god of that tressour & micht.
I coft hir deir, bot scho fer derrer me,
Quhilk hasard honor, fame in aventeur,
Committing clene hir corse to me in cure.
In oxsteris cloiss we kiss, and cossis hairtis,
Brynt in desyre of amouris play and sport;
Meittand oure lustis, spreitles we twa depairtis.
Prolong with lasar, lord, I the exhort
Sic tyme that we may boith tak our confort;
First for to sleip, syne walk withowt espyis;
I blame the cok, I plene the nicht is schort:
Away I went, my wache the cuschett cryis,
Wissing all luvaris leill to haif sic chance
That thay may haif ws in remembrance.
Brynt in desyre of amouris play and sport;
Meittand oure lustis, spreitles we twa depairtis.
Prolong with lasar, lord, I the exhort
29
First for to sleip, syne walk withowt espyis;
I blame the cok, I plene the nicht is schort:
Away I went, my wache the cuschett cryis,
Wissing all luvaris leill to haif sic chance
That thay may haif ws in remembrance.
14. [How suld my febill body fure.]
How suld my febill body fure,
The dowble dolour I indure,
The mornyng and the grit mallure,
Can nane devyne;
Quhilk garris my bailfull breist combure
To se ane vþir haif þe cure,
Þat suld by myne.
The dowble dolour I indure,
The mornyng and the grit mallure,
Can nane devyne;
Quhilk garris my bailfull breist combure
To se ane vþir haif þe cure,
Þat suld by myne.
For weill I wait wes nevir wicht,
Wald sa inforss his mynd & mycht,
To lufe & serf his lady bricht
And want hir syne,
As I do, martir day and nycht,
Without the only thing of rycht,
That [suld be myne].
Wald sa inforss his mynd & mycht,
To lufe & serf his lady bricht
And want hir syne,
As I do, martir day and nycht,
Without the only thing of rycht,
That [suld be myne].
War I of pissans for to prufe,
My lawty & my hairtly lufe,
I suld hir mynd to mercy mufe,
With sic propyne.
War all þe warld at my behufe,
Scho suld it haif, be god abufe,
That suld be myne.
My lawty & my hairtly lufe,
I suld hir mynd to mercy mufe,
With sic propyne.
War all þe warld at my behufe,
Scho suld it haif, be god abufe,
That suld be myne.
Now quhome to sall I mak my mone,
Sen trewth & constans fynd I none,
For all the fathfull lufe is gone
Of femenene.
It wald vpross ane hart of stone,
To se me lost for lufe of one
That [suld be myne].
Sen trewth & constans fynd I none,
For all the fathfull lufe is gone
Of femenene.
It wald vpross ane hart of stone,
To se me lost for lufe of one
That [suld be myne].
30
Quha suld my dullit spreitis raiss,
Sen for no lufe my lady gaiss,
Bot and gud scheruice mycht hir maiss
Scho suld inclyne.
I dre þe dollour and diseiss,
Quhen vþiris hes hir as thay pleiss,
That suld be myne.
Sen for no lufe my lady gaiss,
Bot and gud scheruice mycht hir maiss
Scho suld inclyne.
I dre þe dollour and diseiss,
Quhen vþiris hes hir as thay pleiss,
That suld be myne.
I may persaif þat weill be thiss
That all the blythnes, joy, and bliss,
The lusty, wantoun lyfe, I wiss,
Of lufe is hyne;
And no remeid, sen so it iss,
Bot paciens, suppoiss I miss
That suld be myne.
That all the blythnes, joy, and bliss,
The lusty, wantoun lyfe, I wiss,
Of lufe is hyne;
And no remeid, sen so it iss,
Bot paciens, suppoiss I miss
That suld be myne.
For nobillis hes nocht ay renown,
Nor gentillis ay the gayest goun,
Thay cary victuallis to þe toun
That werst dois dyne:
Sa bissely to busk I boun,
Ane vþir eitis the berry doun
That suld be myn[e].
Nor gentillis ay the gayest goun,
Thay cary victuallis to þe toun
That werst dois dyne:
Sa bissely to busk I boun,
Ane vþir eitis the berry doun
That suld be myn[e].
Quha wald the rege of ȝowtheid dant,
Let thame the court of luvaris hant,
And tham as Venus subiectis grant
And keip hir tryme:
Perchance thay sall find freindschip skant,
And abill thair rewaird to want,
As I did myne.
Let thame the court of luvaris hant,
And tham as Venus subiectis grant
And keip hir tryme:
Perchance thay sall find freindschip skant,
And abill thair rewaird to want,
As I did myne.
15. [Marvilling in mynd, quhat ailis fortoun at me.]
Marvilling in mynd, quhat ailis fortoun at me,
And I ane scherwand trew both day and nycht,
I am bot deid sic dolour for to dre
So suddanly exylit frome hir sycht.
In all this warld thair is no erdly wycht
Moir fre, moir fremmit, moir trest, & eik moir trew;
Sen I mon de, adew, luvaris, adew.
And I ane scherwand trew both day and nycht,
I am bot deid sic dolour for to dre
So suddanly exylit frome hir sycht.
In all this warld thair is no erdly wycht
Moir fre, moir fremmit, moir trest, & eik moir trew;
Sen I mon de, adew, luvaris, adew.
31
Dame Natur! I the wyt of all my pane,
That formit hes this flour so fair but feir,
All vertew in hir visage dois remane,
Bot merciles I go from ȝeir to ȝeir;
Scho is allon of price withouttin peir:
This ryall ross will nocht vpoun me rew;
Sen I mon de, adew, luvaris, adew.
That formit hes this flour so fair but feir,
All vertew in hir visage dois remane,
Bot merciles I go from ȝeir to ȝeir;
Scho is allon of price withouttin peir:
This ryall ross will nocht vpoun me rew;
Sen I mon de, adew, luvaris, adew.
My dullit hairt but dout may nocht indure,
My pane but peir, it perssis throw my hairt;
My lady fair, of me scho takis no cure,
Bot thoillis me to de in panis smart.
O Venus quene! thow causs hir mynd rewart:
For be þe graue, first lufe in to me grew;
Sen I mon [de, adew, luvaris, adew].
My pane but peir, it perssis throw my hairt;
My lady fair, of me scho takis no cure,
Bot thoillis me to de in panis smart.
O Venus quene! thow causs hir mynd rewart:
For be þe graue, first lufe in to me grew;
Sen I mon [de, adew, luvaris, adew].
Now lat me lady do quhat evir scho will,
Baith trest & trew my hairt sall nevir fel;
Small honor is, hir scherwand for to spill,
Sen þat my deth to hir may nocht awail;
Ane blenk of hir but dout wald mak me haill:
My hairt is gon, my face is paill of hew;
Sen I [mon de, adew, luvaris, adew].
Baith trest & trew my hairt sall nevir fel;
Small honor is, hir scherwand for to spill,
Sen þat my deth to hir may nocht awail;
Ane blenk of hir but dout wald mak me haill:
My hairt is gon, my face is paill of hew;
Sen I [mon de, adew, luvaris, adew].
Addew, addew, my dule and my delyte,
Adew, fairweill, my freind & eik my fo,
Adew, my pane & plesans most perfyte,
Addew, addew, my weill & eik my wo,
Fairweill, for now for euirmoir I go,
Fairweill, I will my sepultur persew;
Sen I mon de, addew, luvaris, adew.
Adew, fairweill, my freind & eik my fo,
Adew, my pane & plesans most perfyte,
Addew, addew, my weill & eik my wo,
Fairweill, for now for euirmoir I go,
Fairweill, I will my sepultur persew;
Sen I mon de, addew, luvaris, adew.
32
16. [Departe, departe, departe.]
Quod Scott off þe Maister of Erskyn.
Departe, departe, departe,
Allace! I most departe
Frome hir þat hes my hart,
With hairt full soir,
Aganis my will indeid,
And can find no remeid,
I wait the panis of deid
Can do no moir.
Allace! I most departe
Frome hir þat hes my hart,
With hairt full soir,
Aganis my will indeid,
And can find no remeid,
I wait the panis of deid
Can do no moir.
Now most I go, allace!
Frome sicht of hir sueit face,
The grund of all my grace,
And souerane:
Quhat chanss that may fall me
Sall I nevir mirry be,
Vnto þe tyme I se
My sweit agane.
Frome sicht of hir sueit face,
The grund of all my grace,
And souerane:
Quhat chanss that may fall me
Sall I nevir mirry be,
Vnto þe tyme I se
My sweit agane.
33
I go, and wait nocht quhair,
I wandir heir and thair,
I weip and sichis rycht sair,
With panis smart;
Now most I pass away away
In wildirness & wilsum way;
Allace! this wofull day
We suld departe.
I wandir heir and thair,
I weip and sichis rycht sair,
With panis smart;
Now most I pass away away
In wildirness & wilsum way;
Allace! this wofull day
We suld departe.
My spreit dois quaik for dreid,
My thirlit hairt dois bleid,
My panis dois exceid;
Quhat suld I say?
I wofull wycht allone,
Makand ane petouss mone,
Allace! my hairt is gone,
For evir and ay.
My thirlit hairt dois bleid,
My panis dois exceid;
Quhat suld I say?
I wofull wycht allone,
Makand ane petouss mone,
Allace! my hairt is gone,
For evir and ay.
Throw langour of my sueit,
So thirlit is my spreit,
My dayis ar most compleit,
Throw hir absence:
Chryst, sen scho knew my smert,
Ingrawit in my hairt,
Becaus I most departe
Frome hir presens.
So thirlit is my spreit,
My dayis ar most compleit,
Throw hir absence:
Chryst, sen scho knew my smert,
Ingrawit in my hairt,
Becaus I most departe
Frome hir presens.
Adew, my awin sueit thing,
My joy and conforting,
My mirth and sollesing
Of erdly gloir:
Fair weill, my lady bricht,
And my remembrance rycht.
Fair weill, and haif gud nycht;
I say no moir.
My joy and conforting,
My mirth and sollesing
Of erdly gloir:
Fair weill, my lady bricht,
And my remembrance rycht.
Fair weill, and haif gud nycht;
I say no moir.
34
17. [That evir I luvit allace þairfoir.]
That evir I luvit, allace þairfoir,
This to be pynit with panis soir,
Thirlit throw every vane and boir
Without offenss
Chryst send remeid, I say no moir
Bot pacienss.
This to be pynit with panis soir,
Thirlit throw every vane and boir
Without offenss
Chryst send remeid, I say no moir
Bot pacienss.
Grissal was nevir so pacient
As I am for my lady gent,
For in my mynd I so imprent
Hir excellenss
That of my deid I am content
With pacienss.
As I am for my lady gent,
For in my mynd I so imprent
Hir excellenss
That of my deid I am content
With pacienss.
How lang sall I this lyfe inleid?
That for hir saik do suffer deid,
But confort of hir gudly heid
Or ȝit presens;
I say no moir, christ send remeid
With paciens.
That for hir saik do suffer deid,
But confort of hir gudly heid
Or ȝit presens;
I say no moir, christ send remeid
With paciens.
On paciens I mon perforss,
Sen þat I go frome weill to worss,
Exorting chryst send hir remorss
Of conscienss
Sa crewaly hes keild my corss
But pacienss.
Sen þat I go frome weill to worss,
Exorting chryst send hir remorss
Of conscienss
Sa crewaly hes keild my corss
But pacienss.
Paciens ourcumis all,
And is ane vertew principall,
Sen I am bund to leif in thrall
With insolens,
I mon sustene quhat so befall
With pacienss.
And is ane vertew principall,
Sen I am bund to leif in thrall
With insolens,
I mon sustene quhat so befall
With pacienss.
35
But paciens I ȝow assure,
Nane may þe panis of lufe indure,
Nor ȝit in to that lufly bour
Mak residens,
Without thay preif baith sueit and sour
With paciens.
Nane may þe panis of lufe indure,
Nor ȝit in to that lufly bour
Mak residens,
Without thay preif baith sueit and sour
With paciens.
Lufe is maid of sic ane kynd,
That be na forss it may be synd,
Bot only be of hummill mynd
With parmanenss
To thoill, suppoiss þe hairt be pynd,
With pacienss.
That be na forss it may be synd,
Bot only be of hummill mynd
With parmanenss
To thoill, suppoiss þe hairt be pynd,
With pacienss.
18. [Oppressit hairt, indure.]
Oppressit hairt, indure
In dolour and distress,
Wappit without recure
In wo remidiless;
Sen scho is merciless,
And caussis all thy smert
Quhilk suld thy dolour dress;
Indure oppressit hairt!
In dolour and distress,
Wappit without recure
In wo remidiless;
Sen scho is merciless,
And caussis all thy smert
Quhilk suld thy dolour dress;
Indure oppressit hairt!
Perforss tak paciens
And dre thy destany
To lufe but recompens
Is grit perplexitie;
Of thyne aduersitie
Wyt thyself and no mo,
For quhen þat thow wes fre
Thow wald nocht hald þe so.
And dre thy destany
To lufe but recompens
Is grit perplexitie;
Of thyne aduersitie
Wyt thyself and no mo,
For quhen þat thow wes fre
Thow wald nocht hald þe so.
36
Thow langit ay to prufe
The strenth of luvis lair,
And quhat kin thing wes lufe
Quhilk now settis the so sair.
Off all thy wo and cair
It mendis the nocht to mene,
Howbeid thow suld forfair,
Thyself þe causs hes bene.
The strenth of luvis lair,
And quhat kin thing wes lufe
Quhilk now settis the so sair.
Off all thy wo and cair
It mendis the nocht to mene,
Howbeid thow suld forfair,
Thyself þe causs hes bene.
Quhen thow wes weill at eiss
And subiect to no wicht,
Thow hir for lufe did cheiss
Quhilk settis thy lufe at licht;
And thocht thow knew hir slicht
Ȝit wald thow [nocht] refrane,
Thairfoir it is bot rycht
That thow indure þe pane.
And subiect to no wicht,
Thow hir for lufe did cheiss
Quhilk settis thy lufe at licht;
And thocht thow knew hir slicht
Ȝit wald thow [nocht] refrane,
Thairfoir it is bot rycht
That thow indure þe pane.
Bot ȝit my corpss allace,
Is wrangusly opprest
Be the in to þis cace
And brocht to grit wanrest,
Quhy suld it so be drest,
Be the, and daly pynd?
Quhilk still it ay detest
Thy wantoun folich mynd.
Is wrangusly opprest
Be the in to þis cace
And brocht to grit wanrest,
Quhy suld it so be drest,
Be the, and daly pynd?
Quhilk still it ay detest
Thy wantoun folich mynd.
The blenkyne of ane E
Ay gart the goif and glaik;
My body bad lat be,
And of thy siching slaik,
Thow wald nocht rest bot raik
And lair the in þe myre,
Ȝit felȝeit thow to faik
That thow did maist desyre.
Ay gart the goif and glaik;
My body bad lat be,
And of thy siching slaik,
Thow wald nocht rest bot raik
And lair the in þe myre,
Ȝit felȝeit thow to faik
That thow did maist desyre.
Thocht thow do murn and weip
With inwart spreit opprest,
Quhen vþir men takis sleip
Thow wantis the nychtis rest:
Scho quhome thow luvis best
Off the takis littill thocht,
Thy wo and grit wanrest
And cair scho countis nocht.
With inwart spreit opprest,
Quhen vþir men takis sleip
Thow wantis the nychtis rest:
37
Off the takis littill thocht,
Thy wo and grit wanrest
And cair scho countis nocht.
Thairfoir go hens in haist
My langour to lament.
Do nocht my body waist
Quhilk nevir did consent,
And thocht thow wald repent
That thow hir hes persewit,
Ȝit man thow stand content
And drynk þat thow hes brewit.
My langour to lament.
Do nocht my body waist
Quhilk nevir did consent,
And thocht thow wald repent
That thow hir hes persewit,
Ȝit man thow stand content
And drynk þat thow hes brewit.
19. [Leif luve & lat me leif allone.]
Leif luve and lat me leif allone
At libertie, subiect to none;
For it may weill be sene vpone
My bludless blaiknit ble;
The tormenting, in tyme bygon,
That skerss hes left bot skin and bon
Throw fremmitness of the.
At libertie, subiect to none;
For it may weill be sene vpone
My bludless blaiknit ble;
The tormenting, in tyme bygon,
That skerss hes left bot skin and bon
Throw fremmitness of the.
For thruch thy feid I fynd express
My only lady merciless
Sa doggitless scho did me dress
With wo and misery;
Quhen scho had welth and wantonness
I had bot dollour and distress,
Throw fremmitness of the.
My only lady merciless
Sa doggitless scho did me dress
With wo and misery;
Quhen scho had welth and wantonness
I had bot dollour and distress,
Throw fremmitness of the.
To confort hir thow wes inclynd,
And hald my murnyng in my mynd,
I fand hir of ane staffage kynd
Bath staitly, strange, and he.
Scho wes vncurtass & vnkynd,
It wes hir play to se me pynd,
Throw [fremmitness of the].
And hald my murnyng in my mynd,
I fand hir of ane staffage kynd
Bath staitly, strange, and he.
38
It wes hir play to se me pynd,
Throw [fremmitness of the].
Thow held hir curage he on loft,
And ted my tendir hairt lyk toft,
I knaw how costly I wes coft
Quhen scho ȝeid frank and fre:
Thow sufferit hir to sleip full soft,
Quhair mirthles I wes marterit oft,
Throw fremitness of the.
And ted my tendir hairt lyk toft,
I knaw how costly I wes coft
Quhen scho ȝeid frank and fre:
Thow sufferit hir to sleip full soft,
Quhair mirthles I wes marterit oft,
Throw fremitness of the.
Cupeid thow kennis I burd to knaw,
The langsum leving in thy law;
Bot this is nocht þe first ourthraw
That thow hes done to me.
Bot of the now I stand nocht aw,
Sen ressoun dois my benner blaw
Aganis the feid of the.
The langsum leving in thy law;
Bot this is nocht þe first ourthraw
That thow hes done to me.
Bot of the now I stand nocht aw,
Sen ressoun dois my benner blaw
Aganis the feid of the.
This lady is so gud ane gyd,
Scho lattis me nevir gang on syd,
Bot teichis me both tyme & tyd
Retent befoir myne E,
Quhome in to lippin and confyd;
I slip, and lattis all ourslyd;
Aganis the feid of the.
Scho lattis me nevir gang on syd,
Bot teichis me both tyme & tyd
Retent befoir myne E,
Quhome in to lippin and confyd;
I slip, and lattis all ourslyd;
Aganis the feid of the.
20. [Thocht I in grit distress.]
Thocht I in grit distress
Suld de in to dispair,
I can get no redress
Of ȝow my lady fair,
Howbeid my tyme I wair
Alhaill in ȝour scherwyce,
Ȝe compt nocht of my cair,
I fynd ȝow ay so nyce.
Suld de in to dispair,
I can get no redress
Of ȝow my lady fair,
39
Alhaill in ȝour scherwyce,
Ȝe compt nocht of my cair,
I fynd ȝow ay so nyce.
It dois ȝow ay delyt
To wit me in distress.
Sic is ȝour haill dispyt
And grit vnfathfulness;
The mair I do me dress
To be at ȝour devyce,
My guerdoun is the less
I find ȝow ay so nyss.
To wit me in distress.
Sic is ȝour haill dispyt
And grit vnfathfulness;
The mair I do me dress
To be at ȝour devyce,
My guerdoun is the less
I find ȝow ay so nyss.
Ay tresting for to speid
I haif my hairt ourset,
Quhair þat I fynd bot feid
My langour for to lett;
I seik the watter hett
In vndir the cauld yce,
Quhair na regaird I gett
I fynd ȝow ay so nyss.
I haif my hairt ourset,
Quhair þat I fynd bot feid
My langour for to lett;
I seik the watter hett
In vndir the cauld yce,
Quhair na regaird I gett
I fynd ȝow ay so nyss.
Belevand ay for grace
I hald my hairt on loft,
Bot now I say, allace
That evir I it socht!
I fynd ȝour fenȝeit thocht
Vncertane as þe dyce,
Thairfoir I compt it nocht
I fynd ȝow ay so nyce.
I hald my hairt on loft,
Bot now I say, allace
That evir I it socht!
I fynd ȝour fenȝeit thocht
Vncertane as þe dyce,
Thairfoir I compt it nocht
I fynd ȝow ay so nyce.
Lang tyme ȝe haif me pruffit
And evir fund me trew,
Bot now that I haif luvit
Rycht sair I may it rew.
First quhen I did persew,
I wont ȝe had bene wyss,
Bot now fairweill, adew!
I find ȝow ay so nyss.
And evir fund me trew,
Bot now that I haif luvit
Rycht sair I may it rew.
First quhen I did persew,
I wont ȝe had bene wyss,
Bot now fairweill, adew!
I find ȝow ay so nyss.
40
21. [Langour to leive, allace.]
Langour to leive, allace!
My labour is in vane,
Sen þair is nowþir grace,
Nor ȝit rewaird agane.
My labour is in vane,
Sen þair is nowþir grace,
Nor ȝit rewaird agane.
Quhat sall I do [o]r say,
I am with sorrow slane,
And dyis nicht & day
Withowt hir luve agane.
I am with sorrow slane,
And dyis nicht & day
Withowt hir luve agane.
Was nevir man in erd,
Moir faithfull & moir plane,
Suppois it be my werd
To luve vnluvit agane.
Moir faithfull & moir plane,
Suppois it be my werd
To luve vnluvit agane.
I do luve best allane
My lady souerane,
Thir ȝeiris mony ane,
Withowt hir luve agane.
My lady souerane,
Thir ȝeiris mony ane,
Withowt hir luve agane.
For nowdir wald schew rew
Nor beir me at disdane,
Bot lute me ay persew
Withowt hir luve agane.
Nor beir me at disdane,
Bot lute me ay persew
Withowt hir luve agane.
Hir fenȝeit wordis fals,
Of richt not maid me fane,
And held me in the hals,
To lufe vnluvit agane.
Of richt not maid me fane,
And held me in the hals,
To lufe vnluvit agane.
And als the luik vnleill
Of hir bricht fair ene twane,
Gart me beleif alhail
To haif hir luve agane.
Of hir bricht fair ene twane,
Gart me beleif alhail
To haif hir luve agane.
Bot sen I se hir hairt
And mynd is vncertane,
I sall in tyme rewairt
My luve frome hir agane.
And mynd is vncertane,
I sall in tyme rewairt
My luve frome hir agane.
41
Sen scho hes nowþir rewth
Nor mercy, suth to sane,
Lat falset to vntrewth,
And trest to trew agane.
Nor mercy, suth to sane,
Lat falset to vntrewth,
And trest to trew agane.
And sen my hairt is fre,
I bid not for to lane,
I sall awysit be
Or I hir luve agane.
I bid not for to lane,
I sall awysit be
Or I hir luve agane.
Thairfoir, my hairt tak heid
Quhome for thow suffer pane,
And luik weill for remeid,
Or þat thow luve agane.
Quhome for thow suffer pane,
And luik weill for remeid,
Or þat thow luve agane.
Scho þat the list to luve
Se thow with hir remane,
And nevir moir remvue,
Bot luve hir best agane.
Se thow with hir remane,
And nevir moir remvue,
Bot luve hir best agane.
22. [Favour is fair in luvis lair.]
Favour is fair / in luvis lair,
Ȝit freindschip mair / bene to commend;
Bot quhair despair / bene adwersare,
Nothing is thair / bot wofull end.
Ȝit freindschip mair / bene to commend;
Bot quhair despair / bene adwersare,
Nothing is thair / bot wofull end.
Off men I mene / in scherwice bene,
Of Venus quene / but conforting;
Be thame I wene / that mon sustene,
The kairis kene / of Cupeid king.
Of Venus quene / but conforting;
Be thame I wene / that mon sustene,
The kairis kene / of Cupeid king.
Continwance / in Cupeidis dance,
But discrepance / withowt remeid,
Sic was my chance / in observance,
But recompance / my lyfe to leid.
But discrepance / withowt remeid,
Sic was my chance / in observance,
But recompance / my lyfe to leid.
Hir court he[s] jo / quhair evir thay go,
The lyfe is so / scho dois thame len,
Quhair his hes wo / withowttin ho,
He is sic fo / till faythfull men.
The lyfe is so / scho dois thame len,
Quhair his hes wo / withowttin ho,
He is sic fo / till faythfull men.
42
I speik expart / suppois I smart
That scho hes gart / me thus lament,
Bot this same darte / may causs hir harte,
Heir eftirwart / also repent.
That scho hes gart / me thus lament,
Bot this same darte / may causs hir harte,
Heir eftirwart / also repent.
Sen so I se / to leif in le,
At libbertie / is weill but wo,
Happie is he / I say for me,
Quhen he is fre / can hald him so.
At libbertie / is weill but wo,
Happie is he / I say for me,
Quhen he is fre / can hald him so.
23. [Returne thee, hairt, hamewart agane.]
Quod Alexander Scott to his hert.
Returne the, hairt, hamewart agane,
And byd quhair thow was wont to be;
Thow art ane fule to suffer pane,
For luve of hir, þat luvis not the.
My hairt, lat be sic fantesie;
Luve nane bot as thay mak the causs,
And lat hir seik ane hairt for the;
For feind a crum of the scho fawis.
And byd quhair thow was wont to be;
Thow art ane fule to suffer pane,
For luve of hir, þat luvis not the.
My hairt, lat be sic fantesie;
Luve nane bot as thay mak the causs,
And lat hir seik ane hairt for the;
For feind a crum of the scho fawis.
To quhat effect sowld thow be thrall
But thank, sen thow hes thy fre will,
My hairt be nocht sa bestiall,
Bot knaw quho dois the guid or ill;
Remane with me, and tary still,
And se quha playis best their pawis,
And lat fillok ga fling hir fill;
For feind a ccrum of the scho fawis.
But thank, sen thow hes thy fre will,
My hairt be nocht sa bestiall,
Bot knaw quho dois the guid or ill;
Remane with me, and tary still,
And se quha playis best their pawis,
And lat fillok ga fling hir fill;
For feind a ccrum of the scho fawis.
Thocht scho be fair, I will not fenȝie,
Scho is the kynd of vþiris ma;
For quhy thair is a fellone menȝie,
That semis gud, and ar not sa.
My hairt tak nowdir pane nor wa,
For Meg, for Meriory, or ȝit Mawis,
Bot be thow glaid, and latt hir ga;
For feind a ccrum of the scho fawis.
Scho is the kynd of vþiris ma;
For quhy thair is a fellone menȝie,
That semis gud, and ar not sa.
My hairt tak nowdir pane nor wa,
For Meg, for Meriory, or ȝit Mawis,
Bot be thow glaid, and latt hir ga;
For feind a ccrum of the scho fawis.
43
Becaus I find scho tuik in ill,
At hir departing thow mak na cair;
Bot all begyld, go quhair scho will,
Beschrew the hairt that mane maikis mair.
My hert be mirry lait and air,
This is the fynall end and clauss;
And latt hir fallow ane filly fair,
For feind a crum of the scho fawis.
At hir departing thow mak na cair;
Bot all begyld, go quhair scho will,
Beschrew the hairt that mane maikis mair.
My hert be mirry lait and air,
This is the fynall end and clauss;
And latt hir fallow ane filly fair,
For feind a crum of the scho fawis.
24. [In June the jem of joy and geme.]
In June the jem / of joy, and geme
This present to compyle express,
But hurt, but wem / or wind to stem,
Inarmit I am / with haviness.
Wantone in weill but wo,
Glaid without greif also,
And fre of every fo
That I confess.
This present to compyle express,
But hurt, but wem / or wind to stem,
Inarmit I am / with haviness.
Wantone in weill but wo,
Glaid without greif also,
And fre of every fo
That I confess.
I maik it plane / for luve agane
Thair sall no sorrow in me synk;
Nor ȝit in vane / to suffer pane
To stop frome sleip, frome meit or drink,
Thair is no lady fre
That and scho favour me,
Scho will nocht thoill to se
Me pyne I think.
Thair sall no sorrow in me synk;
Nor ȝit in vane / to suffer pane
To stop frome sleip, frome meit or drink,
Thair is no lady fre
That and scho favour me,
Scho will nocht thoill to se
Me pyne I think.
Be scho content / of corss & rent
All sal be hirss that I may get hir,
Will scho absent / hyne sall I went,
And at als littill valor set hir.
Quhair power ma not plaiss,
Adew without diseiss,
Als gud luve cumis as gais
Or raþir bettir.
All sal be hirss that I may get hir,
Will scho absent / hyne sall I went,
And at als littill valor set hir.
Quhair power ma not plaiss,
Adew without diseiss,
Als gud luve cumis as gais
Or raþir bettir.
44
Quhen scho growis heich / I draw on dreich
To vesy and behald the end,
Quhen scho growis skeich / I byd on beich,
To lat hir in the brydill bend.
Quhen schow growis meik and tame,
Scho sal be wylcome hame,
Gif scho my luve quytclame
I sall nocht kend.
To vesy and behald the end,
Quhen scho growis skeich / I byd on beich,
To lat hir in the brydill bend.
Quhen schow growis meik and tame,
Scho sal be wylcome hame,
Gif scho my luve quytclame
I sall nocht kend.
Pleiss scho to rew / I sall persew
With subiect scherwyice every sessone,
Be scho vntrew / fair weill, adew,
For as scho chaingis I sall cheiss one.
Bot gif scho steidfast stand,
And be nocht wariand,
I am at hir command
Conforme to ressone.
With subiect scherwyice every sessone,
Be scho vntrew / fair weill, adew,
For as scho chaingis I sall cheiss one.
Bot gif scho steidfast stand,
And be nocht wariand,
I am at hir command
Conforme to ressone.
25. [Thair is nocht ane winche þat I se.]
Thair is nocht ane winche þat I se
Sall win ane wantage of me;
Be scho fals, I sal be sle,
And say to dispyt hir;
Be scho trew, I will confyd,
Will scho remane, I sall abyd;
Will scho slip, I will bot slyd,
And so sall I quyt hir.
Sall win ane wantage of me;
Be scho fals, I sal be sle,
And say to dispyt hir;
Be scho trew, I will confyd,
Will scho remane, I sall abyd;
Will scho slip, I will bot slyd,
And so sall I quyt hir.
Be scho constant and trew,
I sall evir hir persew;
Be scho fals, than adew
No langer I tary.
Be scho fathfull in mynd,
I sal be to hir inclynd;
Be scho strange and vnkynd,
I gif hir to fary.
I sall evir hir persew;
Be scho fals, than adew
No langer I tary.
Be scho fathfull in mynd,
I sal be to hir inclynd;
Be scho strange and vnkynd,
I gif hir to fary.
45
Be scho haltand and he
Rycht swa sall scho fynd me;
Be scho lawly and fre,
The suth I sall say hir.
Be scho secreit and wyiss,
I sall await on hir scherwyiss
Will scho glaik and go nyiss,
I leif hir to play hir.
Rycht swa sall scho fynd me;
Be scho lawly and fre,
The suth I sall say hir.
Be scho secreit and wyiss,
I sall await on hir scherwyiss
Will scho glaik and go nyiss,
I leif hir to play hir.
And I magyn my mailis,
I sall feid hir with taillis,
Thocht my sallis haif no seillis,
I sall leir hir to fan.
Be scho wylie as ane tod,
Quhen scho winkis I sall nod;
Scho sall nocht begyle me, be god,
For ocht that scho can.
I sall feid hir with taillis,
Thocht my sallis haif no seillis,
I sall leir hir to fan.
Be scho wylie as ane tod,
Quhen scho winkis I sall nod;
Scho sall nocht begyle me, be god,
For ocht that scho can.
26. Quod Scott quhen his wyfe left him.
To luve vnluvit it is ane pane,
For scho þat is my souerane,
Sum wantoun man so he hes set hir,
That I can get no lufe agane,
Bot brekis my hairt, & nocht the bettir.
For scho þat is my souerane,
Sum wantoun man so he hes set hir,
That I can get no lufe agane,
Bot brekis my hairt, & nocht the bettir.
Quhen þat I went with þat sweit may,
To dance, to sing, to sport and pley,
And oft tymes in my armis plet hir;
I do now mvrne both nycht & day,
And brekis my hairt, & nocht the bettir.
To dance, to sing, to sport and pley,
And oft tymes in my armis plet hir;
I do now mvrne both nycht & day,
And brekis my hairt, & nocht the bettir.
Quhair I wes wont to se hir go,
Rycht trymly passand to and fro,
With cumly smylis quhen þat I met hir;
And now I leif in pane & wo
And brekis [my hairt, & nocht the bettir].
Rycht trymly passand to and fro,
With cumly smylis quhen þat I met hir;
And now I leif in pane & wo
And brekis [my hairt, & nocht the bettir].
46
Quhattane ane glaikit fule am I,
To slay my self with malancholy,
Sen weill I ken I may nocht get hir,
Or quhat suld be the caus, and quhy,
To brek [my hairt, and nocht the bettir].
To slay my self with malancholy,
Sen weill I ken I may nocht get hir,
Or quhat suld be the caus, and quhy,
To brek [my hairt, and nocht the bettir].
My hairt, sen thow may nocht hir pleiss,
Adew, as gude lufe cumis as gaiss,
Go chuss ane vdir, and forȝet hir;
God gif him dolour and diseiss,
That brekis thair hairt, and nocht the bettir.
Adew, as gude lufe cumis as gaiss,
Go chuss ane vdir, and forȝet hir;
God gif him dolour and diseiss,
That brekis thair hairt, and nocht the bettir.
27. [Quha lykis to luve.]
Quha lykis to luve / or þat law pruve,
Lat him beleif this lyfe to leid;
His mynd sall moif / but rest or ruve,
With diuerss doulouris to þe deid:
He sall tyne appetyte
And meit and sleip gife quyte,
And want þe way perfyte
To find remeid.
Lat him beleif this lyfe to leid;
His mynd sall moif / but rest or ruve,
With diuerss doulouris to þe deid:
He sall tyne appetyte
And meit and sleip gife quyte,
And want þe way perfyte
To find remeid.
He sall nocht wit / quhiddir þat it
Be panefull, plesand, weill, or wo;
To stand, or sit / remoif or flit,
To gang, to ly, to byd, or go:
No wit sal be degest
To heir, se, smell, nor test;
Bot as a brutall best
He sall be so.
Be panefull, plesand, weill, or wo;
To stand, or sit / remoif or flit,
To gang, to ly, to byd, or go:
No wit sal be degest
To heir, se, smell, nor test;
Bot as a brutall best
He sall be so.
Fle thocht he wald / lufe sall him hald,
Within þe dungeoun of dispair;
Quhyle hett, quhyle cald / a thowsandfald,
His purpoiss sal be heir and thair;
He sall hald wisdome vyce,
And vertew of no pryce,
Bot as a fule vnwyce
So sall he fair.
Within þe dungeoun of dispair;
Quhyle hett, quhyle cald / a thowsandfald,
His purpoiss sal be heir and thair;
He sall hald wisdome vyce,
And vertew of no pryce,
Bot as a fule vnwyce
So sall he fair.
47
This is the quhy / and causs þat I
Complene so peteously in plane,
I lufe þe wy / will nocht apply,
Nor grant to gife / me grace agane:
The moir scheruice I do
The moir fremmit is scho,
Without respect vnto
My crewall pane.
Complene so peteously in plane,
I lufe þe wy / will nocht apply,
Nor grant to gife / me grace agane:
The moir scheruice I do
The moir fremmit is scho,
Without respect vnto
My crewall pane.
Ȝe luvaris se / gife þat this be
Ane lyfe þat all gude men malignis;
I say for me / it is to fle
Aboif þe pest and plaig þat ringis:
Quhilk is bot curius,
Ay woid and furius,
Ane fyre sulfurius
That men doun bringis.
Ane lyfe þat all gude men malignis;
I say for me / it is to fle
Aboif þe pest and plaig þat ringis:
Quhilk is bot curius,
Ay woid and furius,
Ane fyre sulfurius
That men doun bringis.
My breþir deir / we most forbeir,
And fra this sinfull lyfe evaid ws;
Lat ressoun steir / ȝour hairtis inteir,
And nocht thoill lathly lust to leid ws;
Quhilk is þe verry net
That satane for ws set,
To causs ws quyt forȝet
The Lord þat maid ws.
And fra this sinfull lyfe evaid ws;
Lat ressoun steir / ȝour hairtis inteir,
And nocht thoill lathly lust to leid ws;
Quhilk is þe verry net
That satane for ws set,
To causs ws quyt forȝet
The Lord þat maid ws.
28. [Lo! quhat it is to luve.]
Lo! quhat it is to lufe,
Lerne ȝe that list to prufe,
Be me, I say, / that no ways may
The grund of greif remvfe;
Bot still decay, / both nycht and day:
Lo quhat it is to lufe.
Lerne ȝe that list to prufe,
Be me, I say, / that no ways may
The grund of greif remvfe;
Bot still decay, / both nycht and day:
Lo quhat it is to lufe.
Lufe is ane fervent fyre,
Kendillit without desyre;
Schort plesour, lang displesour,
Repentence is the hyre;
Ane pure tressour, / without mesour;
Lufe is ane fervent fyre.
Kendillit without desyre;
48
Repentence is the hyre;
Ane pure tressour, / without mesour;
Lufe is ane fervent fyre.
To lufe and to be wyiss,
To rege with gud adwyiss;
Now thus, now than, / so gois the game,
Incertane as the dyiss:
Thair is no man, / I say, that can,
Both lufe and to be wyiss.
To rege with gud adwyiss;
Now thus, now than, / so gois the game,
Incertane as the dyiss:
Thair is no man, / I say, that can,
Both lufe and to be wyiss.
Fle alwayis frome þe snair,
Lerne at me to be ware;
It is ane pane / and dowbill trane
Of endles wo and cair:
For to refrane / that denger plane,
Fle alwayis frome þe snair.
Lerne at me to be ware;
It is ane pane / and dowbill trane
Of endles wo and cair:
For to refrane / that denger plane,
Fle alwayis frome þe snair.
29. [Quhome sould I wyt of my mischance.]
Quhome sould I wyt of my mischance,
Bot Cupeid king of variance?
Thy court, without considerance,
Quhen I it knew,
Or evir made þe observance,
Sa far I rew.
Bot Cupeid king of variance?
Thy court, without considerance,
Quhen I it knew,
Or evir made þe observance,
Sa far I rew.
Thow and thy law ar instrumentis
Off diuerss inconvenientis;
Thy scheruice mony soir repentis,
Knawing þe quarrell;
Quhen body, honor, & substance schentis
And saule in perrell.
Off diuerss inconvenientis;
Thy scheruice mony soir repentis,
Knawing þe quarrell;
Quhen body, honor, & substance schentis
And saule in perrell.
Quhat is thy manrent bot mischeif,
Sturt, angir, grunching, yre, and greif,
Evill lyfe, and langour but releif,
Off woundis wan;
Displesour, pane, and he repreif
Off god and man!
Sturt, angir, grunching, yre, and greif,
Evill lyfe, and langour but releif,
Off woundis wan;
49
Off god and man!
Thow loviss thame þat lowdest leis,
And followis fastest on þame [that] fleis;
Thow lychtleis all trew properteis
Off lufe express,
And markis quhair nevir styme thow seis,
Bot hittis be gais[s].
And followis fastest on þame [that] fleis;
Thow lychtleis all trew properteis
Off lufe express,
And markis quhair nevir styme thow seis,
Bot hittis be gais[s].
Blynd buk, bot at þe bound thow schutis,
And þame forbeiris þat the rebutis;
Thow ryvis þair hartis ay fra þe rutis,
Quhilk ar thy awin,
And cureis þame, curis nocht thre cutis
To be misknawin.
And þame forbeiris þat the rebutis;
Thow ryvis þair hartis ay fra þe rutis,
Quhilk ar thy awin,
And cureis þame, curis nocht thre cutis
To be misknawin.
Thow art in freyndschip with þi fo,
And fremmit to thy freynd also,
Thow flemis all faythfull men the fro
Of steidfast thocht,
Regarding non bot þame ago,
That curis the nocht.
And fremmit to thy freynd also,
Thow flemis all faythfull men the fro
Of steidfast thocht,
Regarding non bot þame ago,
That curis the nocht.
Thow chirreiss þame þat with þe chyddis,
And baneiss þame with þe abydis:
Thow hess þi horne ay in þair sydis,
That cannocht fle;
Thay furdir werst in the confydis,
I say for me.
And baneiss þame with þe abydis:
Thow hess þi horne ay in þair sydis,
That cannocht fle;
Thay furdir werst in the confydis,
I say for me.
30. It cumis ȝow luvaris to be laill.
It cumis ȝow luvaris to be laill
Off body, hairt, & mynd alhaill,
And thocht ȝe with ȝour ladyis daill
Ressoun,
Bot and ȝour faith and lawty faill
Tressoun.
Off body, hairt, & mynd alhaill,
And thocht ȝe with ȝour ladyis daill
Ressoun,
Bot and ȝour faith and lawty faill
Tressoun.
50
Ȝe may with honesty persew,
Gif ȝe be constant, trest, & trew;
Thocht than vnrycht thay on ȝow rew
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe fund dowbill, adew
Tressoun.
Gif ȝe be constant, trest, & trew;
Thocht than vnrycht thay on ȝow rew
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe fund dowbill, adew
Tressoun.
Ȝour hummill scheruice first resing thame,
For that to ȝour intent sall bring thame;
With leif of ladeis thocht ȝe thing thame
Ressoun
Bot eftirwart and ȝe maling thame
Tressoun.
For that to ȝour intent sall bring thame;
With leif of ladeis thocht ȝe thing thame
Ressoun
Bot eftirwart and ȝe maling thame
Tressoun.
Do nevir the deid that ma diseiss thame,
Bot wirk with all ȝour mind to meiss thame;
To tak ȝour plesour quhen it pleiss thame
Resoun,
Bot with vntrewth and ȝe betraiss thame
Tressoun.
Bot wirk with all ȝour mind to meiss thame;
To tak ȝour plesour quhen it pleiss thame
Resoun,
Bot with vntrewth and ȝe betraiss thame
Tressoun.
Defend thair fame quha evir fyle thame,
And ay with honest havingis style thame;
To Venus, als suppois ȝe wyle thame
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe frawdfull and begyle thame
Tressoun.
And ay with honest havingis style thame;
To Venus, als suppois ȝe wyle thame
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe frawdfull and begyle thame
Tressoun.
Ȝe suld considdir or ȝe taik thame,
That littill scheruice will nocht staik thame;
Get ȝe ane goldin hour to glak thame
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe frawdfull & forsaik thame
Tressoun.
That littill scheruice will nocht staik thame;
Get ȝe ane goldin hour to glak thame
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe frawdfull & forsaik thame
Tressoun.
Be secreit, trew, and plane allwey;
Defend þair fame baith nycht and day;
In prevy place suppoiss ȝe play
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe ane clattrer, harmisay!
Tressoun.
Defend þair fame baith nycht and day;
In prevy place suppoiss ȝe play
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe ane clattrer, harmisay!
Tressoun.
51
Be courtas in ȝour cumpany,
For that sall causs thame to apply;
Thocht þat thay lat ȝow with thame ly
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe fund vnfaithfull, fy!
Tressoun.
For that sall causs thame to apply;
Thocht þat thay lat ȝow with thame ly
Ressoun,
Bot be ȝe fund vnfaithfull, fy!
Tressoun.
Wey weill thir versis that I wryt ȝow;
Do ȝour devoir quhen þat thay lat ȝow;
To lufe ȝour ladies quho can wyt ȝow?
Ressoun
Do ȝe the contrair, heir I quyt ȝow
Tressoun.
Do ȝour devoir quhen þat thay lat ȝow;
To lufe ȝour ladies quho can wyt ȝow?
Ressoun
Do ȝe the contrair, heir I quyt ȝow
Tressoun.
31. [Fra raige of ȝowth the rynk hes rune.]
Fra raige of ȝowth the rynk hes rune,
And ressone tane the man to tune,
The brukle body than is wvne
And maid ane veschell new,
For than thruch grace he is begune
The well of wisdome for to kune;
Than is his weid of vertue spune
Trest weill this taill is trew.
And ressone tane the man to tune,
The brukle body than is wvne
And maid ane veschell new,
For than thruch grace he is begune
The well of wisdome for to kune;
Than is his weid of vertue spune
Trest weill this taill is trew.
For ȝowth and will ar so consorss
Withowt þat wisdome mak devorss,
Thay rin lyk wyld vndantit horss
But brydillis, to and fro.
Thair curage sa ourcumis thair corss,
Thrwcht heit of blude it hes sic forss
Bot gif the mynd haif sum remorss
Of God, all is ago.
Withowt þat wisdome mak devorss,
Thay rin lyk wyld vndantit horss
But brydillis, to and fro.
Thair curage sa ourcumis thair corss,
Thrwcht heit of blude it hes sic forss
Bot gif the mynd haif sum remorss
Of God, all is ago.
This wid fantastyk lust but lufe,
Dois so ȝung men to madness mvfe,
That thay ma nowþir rest nor rufe,
Till thay mischeif þair sellis.
Haif thay thair harlottis in behufe,
Thay sussy nocht thair god abufe;
Thair fame, thair wirschep, nor reprufe
Off honour nor ocht ellis.
Dois so ȝung men to madness mvfe,
That thay ma nowþir rest nor rufe,
Till thay mischeif þair sellis.
52
Thay sussy nocht thair god abufe;
Thair fame, thair wirschep, nor reprufe
Off honour nor ocht ellis.
Ferme luve with prudens suld be vsit,
Thocht sum allegeand to excus it,
Sayis þat luve with witt inclusit
Ȝit is nocht worth a buttoun.
Sic vane opinioun is confusit,
That man but ressoun may be rusit;
Quha bene with beistly lust abusit,
I hald him bot ane muttoun.
Thocht sum allegeand to excus it,
Sayis þat luve with witt inclusit
Ȝit is nocht worth a buttoun.
Sic vane opinioun is confusit,
That man but ressoun may be rusit;
Quha bene with beistly lust abusit,
I hald him bot ane muttoun.
Quha wald in luve be estimat,
Suld haif þair hairtis ay elevat
With merciall myndis in doing þat,
Mycht causs thair fais to dowt thame.
Thocht wemen self be temerat
Thay luve no man effeminat,
And haldis thame, bot I wat not quhat,
That cannoch[t] be withowt thame.
Suld haif þair hairtis ay elevat
With merciall myndis in doing þat,
Mycht causs thair fais to dowt thame.
Thocht wemen self be temerat
Thay luve no man effeminat,
And haldis thame, bot I wat not quhat,
That cannoch[t] be withowt thame.
Ȝit man suld fauour thame, howbeid
Thay be bot necessar of neid;
Becauss we cum of thame, in deid,
Thair personis suld be prysit.
As grund is ordand to beir seid,
So is the woman born to breid
The fruct of man, and that to feid
As nature hes dewysit.
Thay be bot necessar of neid;
Becauss we cum of thame, in deid,
Thair personis suld be prysit.
As grund is ordand to beir seid,
So is the woman born to breid
The fruct of man, and that to feid
As nature hes dewysit.
Schort to conclude, I wald bath knew
That luvaris suld be leill and trew;
And ladeis suld all thingis eschew
That ma thair honor smot.
Be permanent þat wald persew
And rin nocht reklesly to rew
Bot as I direct, Adew!
Thuss I depairt, q[uod] Scott.
That luvaris suld be leill and trew;
And ladeis suld all thingis eschew
That ma thair honor smot.
Be permanent þat wald persew
And rin nocht reklesly to rew
Bot as I direct, Adew!
Thuss I depairt, q[uod] Scott.
| The poems (1902) | |